Are Pinto Beans Bad For You?
Short answer
So long as you avoid getting canned pinto beans (which are nutrient-depleted and contain too much sodium), pinto beans are excellent for you.
Recommended Alternative
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Pinto beans are a wonderful lean source of many nutrients that will help keep you healthy. One cup of boiled pinto beans will provide 15 grams of protein. Protein is essential in nearly every major bodily function and is the essential building block of the body. Furthermore, it is necessary for a fully functioning immune system and is broken down to be used as energy by the body. Thiamin aids memory, while potassium is necessary for nerve transmission. Potassium also helps to regulate blood pressure and heart function.
Other nutrients found in abundant levels in pinto beans are folate, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B6. One particular element, molybdenum, is an important co-factor of sulfite oxidase, an enzyme that detoxifies sulfites. Folate is another nutrient which often gets overlooked. It is responsible for lowering homocysteine levels in the blood. High levels of homocysteine are an indicator for heart disease. Pinto beans contain a large amount of fiber - 60% of the daily recommended value is found in just one cup. Fiber is important in preventing colorectal cancer, lowering LDL cholesterol levels, controlling blood sugar levels, and of course, maintaining healthy bowel movements. It is important to note that too much fiber (especially for people not used to high-fiber diets) can have some gaseous side effects such as bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea.
Another thing to look out for is getting pinto beans in a can. Nutrients are heavily depleted in canned pinto beans and sodium levels are drastically high. While one cup of boiled pinto beans (uncanned) contain just two milligrams of sodium, the same amount of canned pinto beans boasts 409 mg of sodium. Too much sodium can lead to disastrous effects, including kidney damage, liver damage, and heart disease.
Possible short-term side effects
- bloating
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diarrhea
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flatulence
Possible long-term side effects
- kidney damage (canned pinto beans)
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liver damage (canned pinto beans)
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stroke (canned pinto beans)
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- excellent source of various nutrients
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lowers risk of heart disease
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lowers cholesterol levels
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helps control blood sugar
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helps maintain healthy bowel movements
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helps regulate digestion
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promotes weight management
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promotes cell production
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Eden Organic Pinto Beans
- No salt added
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free & Vegan
- Kosher certified
- U.S. grown
Learn More!
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 05-15-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 05-15-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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